A warm welcome to author Melanie Hansen joining us today to talk about her newest release Love and the Exorcism
and Valentine’s Day 😉
Melanie also brought with her a wonderful giveaway !

Welcome Melanie 🙂

I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day. I’ve been married a long time, long enough to know my husband doesn’t appreciate or care about a $10 over-the-top mushy card that he’ll read once and toss aside with a barely-suppressed roll of his eyes. I feel the same way, to be honest. You don’t need to waste money on a card or flowers—just do the damn dishes without being asked and you’ll most likely get lucky anyway.

But this year is a little different. In December my husband, who is active-duty Navy, moved to his new duty station in San Diego—alone. For lots of personal and job-related reasons, we decided my two boys and I would stay here in Arizona instead of move with him. During the next two years, we’ll see him once a month or so.  My kids and I have been planning ways to make his Valentine’s Day special this year, and we’re lucky he’s close by and it’s not going to be that hard to do.

It made me think about our military men and women who are far from home, maybe serving in a hostile country. Valentine’s Day probably isn’t on their radar, but I started wondering about those who might be single, or going through a long-distance breakup, and ways to help brighten their day. Obviously it’s too late to send anything now that will actually arrive by Valentine’s Day, but I wanted to spotlight a couple of my favorite military assistance and relief programs that can be used any time of year!

I thought this would be apropos since Tom and Mario, my heroes in Love and the Exorcism, live in Ft. Pierce, Florida, home of the Navy SEAL Museum. I’ve been there, and it is so cool and educational. And I adore their logo!

 

 

The first military assistance program I love is Green Beans’ Coffee Cup of Joe for a Joe:  

http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/pages/cup-of-joe

 

About Green Beans Coffee Companies

We got our start by offering some of the comforts of home to the men and women of the U.S. Military deployed at bases overseas and in areas of conflict. Our cafes offer a casual and comfortable place where our customers can enjoy premium coffee beverages and fresh-baked treats while relaxing and listening to music.

Step 1: Choose Your Gift

Each $2 provides a different Service Member with a Cup of Joe gift. Choose the amount you want to spend then click the BUY button.

Step 2: Write Your Message

After you push the BUY button, you’ll see a form where you can write your message that will be delivered with each of your Cup of Joe gifts.

Step 3: Enter Your Payment Information

It’s simple, safe and secure. You can use a major credit card or PayPal.

Step 4: We’ll Deliver Your Gift

The message you write is delivered to our Troops by email and the freshly brewed cups of coffee are served at their closest Green Beans Coffee I.

We’ll also give each Service Member a chance to respond ­– and most of them do, so watch your email for their letters!

When I first did this a couple of years ago, I was delighted to get emails back from service members in Iraq and Afghanistan thanking me for my gift. It was immensely satisfying!

Next is the Any Soldier care package delivery program:

http://anysoldier.com

About Us

It was March 26th, 2003. Army Sergeant Brian Horn, one of 1,000 soldiers, parachuted into enemy territory in Northern Iraq.

Five months later, Brian Horn was able to call his parents. They had been sending their son an average of six care packages per week. So when Brian asked his parents to send more, “my wife and I thought he was kidding!” Marty Horn told me. “But Brian said, ‘no – it’s for the soldiers that don’t get any.'”

Brian Horn’s regiment spent nearly a year finding places to sleep on the ground or on their vehicles while behind enemy lines in Northern Iraq. From Life in Iraq, Stars and Stripes special report on morale. October, 2003, Jon R. Anderson, Stars and Stripes.

 

Both Brian’s parents had spent their careers in the Military, so they immediately understood what Brian was saying. Millions of men and women serving overseas never receive any mail. Besides often lacking basic necessities, these men and women have to cope with the harsh conditions of serving overseas without signs of support from friends and family back home.

The Horns developed the idea for AnySoldier.com during that phone call. Marty created a website that explained the project and offered Brian’s address — including the words “Attn: Any Soldier”. Brian would give these packages to the soldiers not receiving any mail.

 

Since 2003, this website has helped over two million troops. It’s really cool because service members overseas provide an address and volunteer to take delivery of the packages and see that those who don’t receive anything from home get them first. They provide lists of needed items specific to their area, so you know exactly what will benefit them most. The mailing process can be a little daunting at first, but it’s so worth it, knowing you’ve brightened someone’s day with the necessities and comforts of home…someone who might be serving in a very dangerous place.

 

Tom and Mario aren’t in the military, but they live in an area where the military has a presence, and I’m sure they have friends who serve. And no, I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day in general, but I am a fan of happily ever afters—and I’m so glad Valentine’s Day brought Tom and Mario to theirs.

Melanie Hansen has spent time in Texas and Florida prisons…for work.   She’s been in a room with a 17-year-old mass murderer who was also one of the most soft-spoken and polite teenagers she’s ever met.  After a 13-year career as a court reporter, she can tell many stories both hilarious and heartbreaking.

She grew up with an Air Force dad, and ended up marrying a Navy man.  After living and working all over the country, she hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.

Melanie left the stressful world of the courtroom behind and now enjoys a rewarding career transcribing for a deaf student.  She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Blurb:

Tom Hannity is not boring, despite what his ex-boyfriend says.  He loves his circle of family and friends and finds peace in the beauty of flower arranging.  Still stinging from his recent breakup, Tom attends an Anti-Valentine’s Day “Ex-orcism,” hoping for some fun and forgetfulness.

Mario Tellez is tired of party boys, and he’s had his eye on Tom for a while.  When they run into each other at the Ex-orcism, sparks fly, until an accidentally overheard conversation drives Tom to do something he normally doesn’t do.

What should have been a hot and fun night turns into Tom and Mario seeing each other at their absolute worst, although surprisingly, it brings out the best in them, too.  Navigating around the toxic people in their lives isn’t easy, and after a small series of bumps in the road, they finally come around full circle… to Valentine’s Day and laying old demons to rest.

Buy Link:

Dreamspinner press

Amazon

Melanie brought with her a backlist copy to giveaway to one commentor on this blog post!

Good Luck 🙂